The workshop was welcomed by the delegates, who arrived at the workshop from different governorates, where they had their introduction on the first day.

On the second day, they were able to apply what they learned on site, as the delegates with the instructor, Dr. Nabil Mohareb, went on a field-trip to Al-Mansheya Area, Alexandria for practical application of the theoretical lectures on a real-life area of space.

On the third day, their experience gained from the field trip was put into application, the sessions were closed later and the delegates were farewelled by the ending of the workshop.

A Facebook group was also created for constant interaction between the delegates and Dr. Nabil, to get to the group please Click Here.

Introduction

The theoretical part is discussing the usage of space syntax as one of the spatial configuration theories that can be applied starting from the micro level (inside buildings) to the macro levels (the city level).

Space syntax theory attempts to understand why, from a spatial point of view, the built environment takes its shape in relation to corresponding socio-cultural activities. There is a fundamental link between the structures and functions of cities, as the configuration of the network is the primary shaper of the pattern of movement.

As a quantitative method, space syntax describes patterns of spatial layouts showing the effect of urban grid configuration on existing movements. It measures integration, which refers to accessibility. It describes the average depth of a space to all other spaces in the systems, which indicates the preferable potential places to move to as a movement destination.

Key research findingsResearch using the Space Syntax approach has shown:

How movement patterns and flows in cities are powerfully shaped by the street network

How this relation shapes the evolution of the local centers and sub-centers that makes cities liveable

How patterns of security and insecurity are affected by spatial design

Nabil gained his Ph.D. in (decoding the Genotype of Historical sites in Fatimid Cairo) from the Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University 2008 and his second Ph.D. from School of Architecture, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.

Community Services: (for the past 6 years)

Member of the Water-Front Subcommittee, involved in creating regulations and recommendations for developing Waterfronts in Egypt. The National Council for Urban Design, Egypt (2005)

Member in Forum for Conservation of Architecture and Historic Heritage, an NGO funded by US Aid (Alexandria, Rosetta and Siwa), Alexandria, Egypt (2003-2005)

Member of research/ consultancy team ‘Architecture Design and master planning’ in UAE University, UAE (2007 to 2009)

Member of research/ consultancy team ‘Sustainable architecture, Urban environment and community development’ in UAE University, UAE (2007 to 2009)

Member of Sheikh Khalifa monumental Landmark Committee in Abu-Dhabi, UAE.(2007)

Member of WASET (World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology) Humanities and Social Science Scientific Committee (2008 to present)

Member of the Conference Scientific Committee for the Third International CSAAR Conference titled “Emerging Trends in The Architecture and Urbanism of Arab World”, Sharjah, UAE. (2008)

Senior member of the International Association of Computer Science and Information Technology (IACSIT) (2009 to present)

Member of the International Scientific Advisory Committee of “Sustainable Tourism Conference” in 2010, Wessex Institute of Technology, UK (2010)